When I decided to try my hand at selling my doll patterns, there was no such thing as online stores. Since the Internet wasn’t even a thing yet, mail-order through magazine ads was the major part of my business selling doll patterns. This was my job and I really enjoyed it. But, as life would have it, things changed and I had to put my doll business aside and secure outside employment that would bring in a regular income. I had planned, to pick back up where I’d left off with my doll business, but instead, it got put on the shelf for a long time.
Looking back at all that I accomplished in my life, I’m surprised there was time left in any given month to make even a single doll. But I did find the time and joined a doll club here and there to keep my hand in and sell a few finished pieces at local craft fairs. However, making a living with my doll business was still not an option. But I knew I couldn’t give it up completely either.
Dollmaker friends would encourage me to get back into sharing more of my dolls by designing new patterns and teaching classes. I eventually agreed this would be a good idea and started making arrangements to teach dollmaking at some local venues. I created patterns specifically for the classes and overall enjoyed the experience. It was a way to connect more deeply with creative people, especially dollmakers, build long-lasting relationships, and most importantly, learn the fine art of teaching by sharing my dolls.
Eventually, it became clear that a full-time job and managing all the bits and pieces that go into preparing for and facilitating these classes was taking its toll. I felt exhausted and knew I was unable to give 100 percent to my students.
Today, I am grateful to continue making and creating new dolls, presenting new patterns to my customers, and doing the occasional commissioned piece for people who found me through the magic of the Internet.
Each commissioned piece takes a while to complete and is worked on mainly when I have large blocks of time to devote to it, mostly on weekends. This block of time is gold for finishing doll projects, developing new ideas, and connecting with my dollmaker friends.
Originally, I set up a website as a method for reaching people to showcase finished pieces as well as providing a platform for selling products and announcing upcoming events and classes. As with all things technology, it’s a steep learning curve and what I had at first envisioned is an ever-evolving process. Today I use my blog to share my thoughts on art and design, discuss new projects, and direct anyone interested to my Etsy page to see what is available for purchase.
My goal is to put out a blog post about once a month on various topics loosely related to dollmaking. These are my thoughts on issues I’ve experienced over the years that nobody else was really talking about, so I decided I would. Some of the topics aren’t specifically about dollmaking but rather affect how we approach dollmaking like online versus in-person classes and virtual dollmaking groups; and why being alone is okay, especially if it has to do with making art. I’ve also written about art as an expression of peacekeeping in Restorative Justice and spotlighted those who have inspired me in one way or another.
I don’t sell my work directly from my website but you can find my pieces on my Etsy page. This page contains all my original patterns as they were first published and sold through the mail order ads in magazines. The elephant, as a more recent addition to my collection, is a commission and is a one-of-a-kind piece. I will continue to add more finished pieces, like the elephant, and new patterns as I develop them.
I still find joy in making a doll and this is how I connect with my inner self.
